Chris Lemerand

Executive Chef

Chef Chris has always been driven to be associated with the best, from his time as a student-athlete for The University of Michigan to attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Having convinced a troupe of fellow students to moonlight in San Francisco, they found themselves in the city of fog by way of New Orleans. He was fortunate enough to find himself in Dominique Crenn’s Atelier and among the team that elevated the restaurant to two Michelin stars. Stints in the one-starred SPQR, Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak in the Westin St. Francis, and opening of Dominique’s Antoinette in the East Bay proceeded joining the team that would realize the goal of achieving COI’s third Michelin star.

After helping to launch the culinary program at Darioush Winery, he was presented with the opportunity to head the lauded Chez TJ of Mountainview, CA. Joining the ranks of Christopher Kostow and Joshua Skenes, he retained their Michelin star for more than three years, doing so at a time defined by historic upheaval. Returning to the North Bay saw a stint running the culinary program for The Lodge at Bodega Bay as well as Hess Persson Estates before landing at The Grove Restaurant.